Marian Street Theatre closed down unexpectedly

Marian Street Theatre has been closed by Ku-ring-gai council for remedial work, disrupting production and workshop schedules over the holiday period.

Marian Street Theatre for Young People (MSTYP) wishes to advise that its January production of Snow White will now play at the Lighthouse Theatre, Macquarie University, North Ryde in January, instead of at the company’s home theatre in Killara, north of Sydney.

The company is a not for profit organisation, operating for the benefit of children and young people who wish to explore the creative theatre arts under the direction of professional theatre artists.

Last week, Ku-ring-gai Council deemed the theatre to be no longer compliant with the Australian Building Code has ordered the closure of the venue for remedial work.

In 2008 – 2010 extensive work was undertaken on the venue by Council and MSTYP staff and students were not required to leave the building during the previous upgrade. MSTYP’s Board, headed by Lindfield resident David Castle, are extremely disappointed that the entire venue is required to be vacated for the work this time, as they had expected to remain in the office and downstairs area while the upgrade takes place in the Upstairs Theatre.

Despite neither Council’s own structural engineer’s report or the report commissioned by MSTYP recommending that the theatre needs to close while remedial work takes place, MSTYP has agreed to comply with Council’s wishes on the matter. 

“It has been very difficult, but thank goodness we have at such short notice been able to find alternative accommodation for our January workshops and our rehearsals for Snow White,” said Artistic Director Margie McCrae.

Ms McCrae went on to say that “Regular drama classes that are normally held at the Theatre will go ahead in alternate venues.  However we are in urgent need of office space so if anyone in the community can sponsor or offer a temporary office space we would be very grateful!”

If you can help MSTYP with temporary office space, you can contact them on (02) 9498 7671 or email [email protected]

 

The Board and Management are looking forward to working constructively with Council to restore MSTYP to the theatre as soon as possible. In conclusion Ms McCrae said “While this is a difficult time for us and for our loyal students and audiences, we have been around for 45 years – we will survive and continue to produce great productions for children, as well as drama training and theatre skills for young people for the next 45 years!”

 

Bookings for Snow White can be made on 1300 306 776 or www.mca-tix.com.au

 

For media information contact Amanda Buckworth, AB Publicity M: 0413 949 140 or E: [email protected]